Halas coached for 40 seasons, compiling a record of 324 wins, 142 losses and 31 ties. He won 7 league titles and was twice named coach of the year. He briefly retired in the early 1930's, again during World War II, and during 1956 -57 seasons. He finally retired from coaching for good in 1968 at the age of 73. Halas' longtime association with the Bears earned him the nickname of Papa Bear.

As well as being a cofounder of the NFL, Halas is credited with greatly increasing its popularity -- chiefly by signing college star Red Grange to a professional contract in 1925. Halas took his Bears featuring Grange, known as the Galloping Ghost, on a barnstorming tour of America. Halas also implemented the man-in-motion offense during the 1930's -- a staple of today's football sets at virtually every level of play.